We’ve recently received a flood of inquiries on sexual harassment training, from updating outdated and ineffective old training to realizing the need to establish such training. It comes as no surprise in the light of recent events from the entertainment industry to Congress, and the ascent of the #metoo movement. Organizations are taking the very necessary steps to keep their employees safe (and protect themselves from liability). MORE

by Nell Gelhaus. Plenty of material is available for learning and development professionals who are looking for ways to increase their employees’ desire to learn. In fact, we’ve even written about it. But what about your team? MORE

Are you one who scowls at confusing signage on the highway? Reprimands your laptop when filling out unclear online forms? Scoffs at designs that don’t communicate efficiently? You, my friend, are a victim of bad user experience design, and you’re not alone. User Experience, or if you want to sit at the cool table—“UX,” is a broad term most often used within the web design world. User Experience is defined as a person’s perceptions of and responses to the use of a product, system, or service. MORE

by Jolene Rowan. Education experts have said for years the important role performance support plays in building competency. It tackles head-on two fundamental challenges of learning: the limits of human memory and learner motivation. MORE

A couple years ago we published 13 Critical Questions to Ask Your Client When Scoping a Learning Engagement. The post captured considerable attention, probably since the task of conducting a training needs assessment can be both a moving target and an ambiguous one. Needs Assessment MORE

by Andrea May. Working with subject matter experts is not a straight-forward, one-size-fits-all affair. There’s no rulebook with a single set of rules that works for every SME you’ll encounter. Instead, each SME presents a unique challenge for instructional designers and other L&D professionals. MORE

The project management profession is growing into its own. Just last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued project management its own occupational category , a confirmation that project managers are more important players than ever. MORE

On a recent business trip, I was reminded that even though I live in the world of instructional design every day, how difficult the concept can be to explain to someone who doesn't. Here’s a breakdown of common processes and principles. Instructional Design MORE

Let’s talk about tone in eLearning: how to find the right tone and how to be creative with the look and feel of a course. First, what is tone? Why is this important? E-Learning, like almost any form of communication, is not simply just about WHAT you say, but HOW you say it. MORE

by Shane Lueck. Training needs to be engaging. What else is new? At this point, that concept is exhausted. It’s been the topic du jour of articles, webinars, conference break-out sessions, office meetings, and any other resource you can name. MORE

Dashe & Thomson's award-winning creative director, Eric Berget, explains how to use the free storyline template he's created for your use. This "Ask An Expert" interaction is a useful branching tool for your elearning modules with scenario-based content, where your user has to make a decision based on input from colleagues or an expert. Enjoy, and download the file below the video. Authoring Tools ELearning MORE

One of the hardest lessons to learn growing up is how to share – how to share your toys, your candy, and maybe your room with a sibling. As a child, it’s difficult to get past the thought “but, it’s MINE!” MORE

Cognitive biases – or the tendency to think in certain ways that lead to systematic deviations from a standard rationality or good judgment – color almost every aspect of our daily lives. We all have them, whether we want to admit it or not. MORE

by Amber Pandya. Your company is implementing yet another change. You swear you just got accustomed to your job’s day-to-day technology process, and now corporate is rolling out a new software that’s supposedly going to help you do it better. MORE

Networking is not a new concept. It used to mean the power lunch, golfing with colleagues, or drinks after work. Then came the growth of associations, conferences, and trade shows. And now networking has changed dramatically with online resources like LinkedIn and Facebook. MORE

Eureka! Many remember 2001: A Space Odyssey for depicting one of the most famous epiphanies in cinema history. With bones splintering across the screen and kettle drums thundering in the background, a solitary ape invented a weapon in an electrifying moment of inspiration. It probably would have shouted, “Eureka!” too, if it could utter anything more than simple grunts. Yet, how well do you think the ape retained that lesson? MORE

You’ll find the term “patient-centered care” floating around in the mission statements of many a hospital and clinic. The patient-centered care model focuses on the patient’s health and experience during every interaction with healthcare professionals. In this model of care, the patient is considered an integral part of their own treatment team. MORE

Recently I was re-reading my first-ever post for this blog, based on an article in Wired magazine entitled “Clive Thompson on Memory Engineering." The gist of it was that a (then) new service called 4SquareAnd7YearsAgo would summarize and email your Foursquare “check-ins” from a year before, resulting in, as Thompson calls it, “a curiously powerful daily jolt of reminiscence.”. MORE

by Shane Lueck. It seems outlandish to consider that the amount spent by companies on training has risen steadily over the past decade, culminating in a whopping $70.65 billion spent on training expenditures by U.S. firms in 2016 alone. MORE

by Heather Sather. The terms “Quality Control” (QC) and “Quality Assurance” (QA) frequently create confusion among learning professionals. Because it's common for the same team or person to handle both functions, the terms are often used interchangeably. MORE

Great news! That learning project you’ve nurtured through countless meetings and rolls of red tape has finally come to fruition, and you’re starting to get down to business. But wait – something’s not quite right. Why does it feel like the team is spinning out of control? MORE

by Shane Lueck. Anyone familiar with Tim Gunn knows that he does everything with a certain level of finesse. As the Emmy-winning mentor extraordinaire from Project Runway , viewers are well aware of his passionate, witty, and firm approach as a mentor to the designers. MORE

We need subject matter experts as much as we need air in order to do our jobs effectively. Some SMEs are fantastic, devoting the time and attention your project deserves without argument or complaint. However, SMEs are human, too (can you believe it?) and sometimes need a bit of help or encouragement to perform at their best due to other demands in their work and personal lives. We've found that generally, SMEs can be grouped into seven categories, or archetypes. MORE

by Claire Narum. The importance of a strong kickoff to a training project can’t be understated. Not only does the project kickoff meeting define the road map, set expectations for your stakeholders, and clarify each team member’s roles, it’s also an opportunity for the team to forge a positive and enthusiastic working relationship that builds a solid foundation for collaboration on future projects. MORE

by Claire Narum. Good eLearning doesn’t simply create itself (though that would be great, wouldn’t it?). Just like every Beyoncé starts by singing into a hairbrush in front of the mirror, every great eLearning begins as a storyboard. The trouble lies in knowing where to start and what to include. MORE

Dashe & Thomson

by Jolene Rowan. Education experts have said for years the important role performance support plays in building competency. It tackles head-on two fundamental challenges of learning: the limits of human memory and learner motivation.

by Nell Gelhaus. Plenty of material is available for learning and development professionals who are looking for ways to increase their employees’ desire to learn. In fact, we’ve even written about it. But what about your team?

by Claire Narum. Good eLearning doesn’t simply create itself (though that would be great, wouldn’t it?). Just like every Beyoncé starts by singing into a hairbrush in front of the mirror, every great eLearning begins as a storyboard. The trouble lies in knowing where to start and what to include.

On a recent business trip, I was reminded that even though I live in the world of instructional design every day, how difficult the concept can be to explain to someone who doesn't. Here’s a breakdown of common processes and principles. Instructional Design

Recently I was re-reading my first-ever post for this blog, based on an article in Wired magazine entitled “Clive Thompson on Memory Engineering." The gist of it was that a (then) new service called 4SquareAnd7YearsAgo would summarize and email your Foursquare “check-ins” from a year before, resulting in, as Thompson calls it, “a curiously powerful daily jolt of reminiscence.”.

by Andrea May. Working with subject matter experts is not a straight-forward, one-size-fits-all affair. There’s no rulebook with a single set of rules that works for every SME you’ll encounter. Instead, each SME presents a unique challenge for instructional designers and other L&D professionals.

by Amber Pandya. Your company is implementing yet another change. You swear you just got accustomed to your job’s day-to-day technology process, and now corporate is rolling out a new software that’s supposedly going to help you do it better.

by Shane Lueck. Training needs to be engaging. What else is new? At this point, that concept is exhausted. It’s been the topic du jour of articles, webinars, conference break-out sessions, office meetings, and any other resource you can name.

A couple years ago we published 13 Critical Questions to Ask Your Client When Scoping a Learning Engagement. The post captured considerable attention, probably since the task of conducting a training needs assessment can be both a moving target and an ambiguous one. Needs Assessment

Off-the-shelf elearning is applicable for a wide audience, but it won’t address your organization’s unique situations or distinctive content. So are these courses all that helpful? For sure! Read on for 7 secrets to make off-the-self learning your own.

Recently I was re-reading my first-ever post for this blog, based on an article in Wired magazine entitled “Clive Thompson on Memory Engineering." The gist of it was that a (then) new service called 4SquareAnd7YearsAgo would summarize and email your Foursquare “check-ins” from a year before, resulting in, as Thompson calls it, “a curiously powerful daily jolt of reminiscence.”.

You’ll find the term “patient-centered care” floating around in the mission statements of many a hospital and clinic. The patient-centered care model focuses on the patient’s health and experience during every interaction with healthcare professionals. In this model of care, the patient is considered an integral part of their own treatment team.

It's no secret that front-line managers are essential to your organization's success. They form the base of your leadership development funnel and, most likely, account for over half of all your organization's leaders. Improving how front-line managers perform yields mouthwatering increases in how individual contributors perform.

Eureka! Many remember 2001: A Space Odyssey for depicting one of the most famous epiphanies in cinema history. With bones splintering across the screen and kettle drums thundering in the background, a solitary ape invented a weapon in an electrifying moment of inspiration. It probably would have shouted, “Eureka!” too, if it could utter anything more than simple grunts. Yet, how well do you think the ape retained that lesson?

We’ve recently received a flood of inquiries on sexual harassment training, from updating outdated and ineffective old training to realizing the need to establish such training. It comes as no surprise in the light of recent events from the entertainment industry to Congress, and the ascent of the #metoo movement. Organizations are taking the very necessary steps to keep their employees safe (and protect themselves from liability).

Even if you don’t have a formal program in place, customer onboarding is already happening at your organization. The question is, are you dictating it and guaranteeing a great experience? If not, this guide can help help.

Great news! That learning project you’ve nurtured through countless meetings and rolls of red tape has finally come to fruition, and you’re starting to get down to business. But wait – something’s not quite right. Why does it feel like the team is spinning out of control?

by Shane Lueck. It seems outlandish to consider that the amount spent by companies on training has risen steadily over the past decade, culminating in a whopping $70.65 billion spent on training expenditures by U.S. firms in 2016 alone.

by Shane Lueck. Anyone familiar with Tim Gunn knows that he does everything with a certain level of finesse. As the Emmy-winning mentor extraordinaire from Project Runway , viewers are well aware of his passionate, witty, and firm approach as a mentor to the designers.

Do you struggle to achieve measurable results with your learning solutions? If so, you’re not alone. According to CEB, traditional training only creates 37% learning transfer. This guide explores the causes of poor transfer and concrete steps to achieving better outcomes.

The project management profession is growing into its own. Just last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued project management its own occupational category , a confirmation that project managers are more important players than ever.

Are you one who scowls at confusing signage on the highway? Reprimands your laptop when filling out unclear online forms? Scoffs at designs that don’t communicate efficiently? You, my friend, are a victim of bad user experience design, and you’re not alone. User Experience, or if you want to sit at the cool table—“UX,” is a broad term most often used within the web design world. User Experience is defined as a person’s perceptions of and responses to the use of a product, system, or service.

Dashe & Thomson's award-winning creative director, Eric Berget, explains how to use the free storyline template he's created for your use. This "Ask An Expert" interaction is a useful branching tool for your elearning modules with scenario-based content, where your user has to make a decision based on input from colleagues or an expert. Enjoy, and download the file below the video. Authoring Tools ELearning

We need subject matter experts as much as we need air in order to do our jobs effectively. Some SMEs are fantastic, devoting the time and attention your project deserves without argument or complaint. However, SMEs are human, too (can you believe it?) and sometimes need a bit of help or encouragement to perform at their best due to other demands in their work and personal lives. We've found that generally, SMEs can be grouped into seven categories, or archetypes.

Networking is not a new concept. It used to mean the power lunch, golfing with colleagues, or drinks after work. Then came the growth of associations, conferences, and trade shows. And now networking has changed dramatically with online resources like LinkedIn and Facebook.

by Heather Sather. The terms “Quality Control” (QC) and “Quality Assurance” (QA) frequently create confusion among learning professionals. Because it's common for the same team or person to handle both functions, the terms are often used interchangeably.

One of the hardest lessons to learn growing up is how to share – how to share your toys, your candy, and maybe your room with a sibling. As a child, it’s difficult to get past the thought “but, it’s MINE!”

It’s well documented that people leave managers – not companies. Download this guide to learn how to shift the perspective from event to journey and how to take learners through Proficiency Journeys to get results.

Let’s talk about tone in eLearning: how to find the right tone and how to be creative with the look and feel of a course. First, what is tone? Why is this important? E-Learning, like almost any form of communication, is not simply just about WHAT you say, but HOW you say it.

Cognitive biases – or the tendency to think in certain ways that lead to systematic deviations from a standard rationality or good judgment – color almost every aspect of our daily lives. We all have them, whether we want to admit it or not.

by Claire Narum. The importance of a strong kickoff to a training project can’t be understated. Not only does the project kickoff meeting define the road map, set expectations for your stakeholders, and clarify each team member’s roles, it’s also an opportunity for the team to forge a positive and enthusiastic working relationship that builds a solid foundation for collaboration on future projects.